MANILA, Philippines – To create another matchup for the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino championship, Petro Gazz and Creamline set out for a pair of repeat victories over PLDT and F2 Logistics, respectively, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Angels and the Cool Smashers each won in four sets in the first game of their respective best-of-three semifinal series over the weekend, and both teams are eager to assert their dominance once again to write another chapter in a rivalry that first started to take shape in 2019.

The highly anticipated Creamline was upset by Petro Gazz, then bannered by Myla Pablo, in the Reinforced Conference finals, but the Cool Smashers promptly retaliated against the Angels in the following Open Conference.

Last year, they fought each other once more in this competition and the Open, with Creamline continuing to win.

But PLDT and F2 Logistics will unquestionably enter today’s pivotal matches with a fresh outlook and the necessary modifications to keep them in the running for the league’s first crown in the Sports Vision-run competition.

The Angels overcame a first-set setback to reduce the larger High-Speed Hitters to size and win by scores of 22 to 25, 25 to 19, 25 to 21, and 25 to 18.

Oliver Almadro, the coach of the Petro Gazz, downplayed their impressive comeback but gave the High-Speed Hitters credit for pushing his players to perform better.

The fact that these gals are true warriors is a plus. Almadro continued, “They’re humble, warriors, and truly want it. 

The Angels generated 23 superb sets, including 18 from Djanel Cheng, that kept their offensive humming in the final three sets. However, they also excelled in net defense, coming through with 14 blocks, six more than the High-Speed Hitters.

Jovie Prado scored 18 points, Mean Mendez, and Mika Reyes both scored 11, Dell Palomata and Michelle Morente all scored nine points, and PLDT coach Rald Ricafort’s team defeated the Angels in five in the preliminary round. Other notable performers included Jovie Prado and Michelle Morente. But in the final two sets, they had trouble with their opening ball, which allowed the Angels to recapture the initiative and win.

The Cargo Movers will need to make significant adjustments to slow down the High-Speed Hitters in their 6:30 p.m. match, just like the High-Speed Hitters did. match. The persistent absence of Pablo, who hasn’t played since cramping up against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last March 7, contributed to F2’s meager 38 hits and Creamline’s 69 attack points.

In their five-set victory over the Cool Smashers, the former Angel averaged 13 points in seven elimination games.

Sherwin Meneses, the coach of Creamline, has emphasized the necessity for his charges to be prepared for a significant F2 comeback despite their advantage.

A second victory and a Petro Gazz victory in the rematch will open the door for a fourth title match between these two elite athletes.